Rwanda Safaris: When visitors choose to visit Rwanda, the majority of them expect to go on a safari there. The majority of the animal species do reside in these hills in Rwanda, which is also known as the “land of a thousand hills.” Rwanda is mostly recognized as a travel safari destination for the mountain gorillas that live in Volcanoes National Park. Rwanda also offers the safari activity known as gorilla trekking, which attracts many travelers to come on a Rwanda safari to participate in the safari activity.
Volcanoes National Park
The well-known safari venue on a Rwandan safari is Volcanoes National Park. Over 480 gorillas call the park home, making it the finest spot to do gorilla trekking. Most people that go gorilla trekking in Rwanda usually start from that park.
The mountain gorillas, primates like the golden monkeys, among other species of animals, bird species, volcanic mountains, and other attractions, are just a few of the park’s many draws for visitors.
Activities done in Volcanoes National Park on Rwanda Safaris
Gorilla trekking
The finest way to appreciate nature is by gorilla trekking, which can be done in Volcanoes National Park. To reserve a gorilla trekking permit on a safari in Rwanda, you must pay a charge of US$1500. When you are physically prepared for the exercise, gorilla trekking entails travelling through dense forests while following trekking trails with the assistance of a safari guide.
The process begins with a briefing at the park headquarters about the guidelines to follow when gorilla trekking, after which you might be divided into different groups of eight people each. After that, you can go gorilla trekking, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 4 hours. Once the gorillas are seen, guests have an hour to spend with them.
Golden monkey trekking
One of the most attractive activities in Volcanoes National Park is trekking the golden monkeys. The activity begins at 7am at the park headquarters, and the permit for golden monkey trekking is 100 USD for everyone. This is where the tourists explore the park’s woodlands in search of the golden monkeys.
Volcano climbing
The most amazing and daring activity carried out in the park is volcano climbing at Volcanoes National Park.The park is blessed with volcanic mountains including Mount Karisimbi, Mount Bisoke, and Mount Sabyinyo, among others, that are part of the Virunga Massif. As they ascend the mountains, tourists discover the many features, which enables them to spot a variety of animals along the trekking route, including mountain gorillas, several bird species, elephants, and insects, among others. As they progress towards the mountain’s summit, tourists who have hiked along Mount Bisoke are rewarded with sights like Crater Lake
Hiking to Dian Fossey Grave.
In Volcanoes National Park, close to the grave of the “digit” gorilla, tourists doing a Rwanda safari hike to Dian Fossey Grave and visit the Karisoke research center, where she researched and was laid to rest.
Caving, the Iby’iwacu Cultural Village, and other activities are available in the Volcanoes National Park.
How to get to Volcanoes National Park
It just takes two hours to travel by road from the capital city of Kigali or Gisenyi to the Volcanoes National Park, making it the greatest option for visitors who wish to do gorilla trekking while still returning to the city.
Nyungwe Forest National Park
The Nyungwe Forest National Park is located in Rwanda’s western region. The park is home to a variety of wildlife, including several mammal species, bird species, and primates, among others. The area is mostly covered by the Nyungwe forest.
Chimpanzees, primates’ animal species, birds, and other attractions may be found in Nyungwe Forest National Park.
Activities done in Nyungwe Forest National Park on Rwanda Safaris
Chimpanzee trekking
As the chimpanzees’ natural habitat, Nyungwe Forest National Park is most renowned for its chimpanzee trekking, which is the main draw for most visitors looking for the greatest chimpanzee safari experiences. The morning activity begins with a training on the guidelines to be followed in the park’s focal spots of Uwinka, Kitabi, and Gisakura.
Nyungwe canopy walk
The canopy walk, which begins at the Uwinka headquarters and is attractively 200 feet above the forest floor and 90 meters long, lasts roughly two hours. The Nyungwe canopy walk is a popular adrenaline-pumping activity in Rwanda that enables visitors to explore the higher forest canopy while enjoying stunning views of the forest’s topography.
Bird watching
With over 300 different bird species, including the odd weaver, Rockefeller’s sunbird, Archer’s Robin Chat, and others, Nyungwe National Park is a top location for birdwatchers.
How to get to Nyungwe Forest National Park
Road access to Nyungwe Forest National Park is available from Kigali city; the park is situated about 225 kilometers from Kigali’s downtown.
Gishwati Mukura National Park
The newest national park in Rwanda is Gishwati Makura National Park. The 34 square kilometer park, which was established in 2015, is regarded as Rwanda’s tiniest national park. The park is strategically situated on the edge of the Congo Nile Basin and is home to a variety of plants, including bamboo and native hardwoods. The park is home to a wide variety of animals, including monkeys, birds, and different animal species.
The primary draws for visitors to Gishwati Mukura National Park are the animal species, bird species, monkeys, and the natural forest greenery.
Bird watching
The best bird watching safari is available to visitors at Gishwati Mukura National Park, which is home to over 235 different bird species, including endangered species from the Albertine Rift like the Rwenzori Blur Turaco. Bird species including the Purple-breasted Sunbird, Grey Crowned Crane, Mountain Yellow Warblers, Rwenzori Batis, Martial Eagle, and others can be seen by tourists while they are bird watching.
Community tours
Visitors to the Gishwati Mukura National Park participate in community excursions, particularly those that visit the nearby communities. Visitors get knowledge of many cultural practices and values, such as crafting local crafts and preparing Rwandan cuisine, among others.
Primate watching
The Gishwati Mukura National Park provides visitors with the best opportunities to see primates like chimpanzees, blue monkeys, and golden monkeys in the area. You will also see other animal species when viewing primates, like duikers and wild cats.
Biking
The Congo Nile Trail offers biking in the Gishwati Mukura National Park, giving visitors an exciting and daring experience. It also gives visitors the chance to see rural Rwanda and fully immerse themselves in the culture.
Guided nature walks
The ability to discover the natural beauty and many animal species up close, including bird species, primates, insects, and tree species, among many others, is one of the attractions for tourists on guided nature walks.
How to get to Gishwati Mukura National Park
The distance from Rwanda’s main city, Kigali, to Gishwati Mukura National Park is 157 kilometers, and it takes travelers 3 to 4 hours to travel there by car.
Akagera National Park
Established in 1934, Akagera National Park is a savannah national park in Rwanda that is home to a staggering variety of animal species, including over 8000 large mammal species like elephants, Rothschild giraffes, and bird species among many others. The park’s 1,122 square km territory is a home to a variety of habitats, including wetlands, lakes, savannah grasslands, lakes, woodlands, and more.
There are several attractions in Akagera National Park, including animals, bird species, waterbodies, and others.
Activities done in Akagera National Park on Rwanda Safaris
Game drives
The Akagera National Park provides visitors with a variety of game drives that are conducted at various times, including morning, afternoon, and evening game drives. During the game drive, the guests see the big five mammals, which include lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards, and buffaloes. Other animal species, like as zebras, sitatungas, hippos, giraffes, and antelopes, can also be spotted during this time. Tourists will typically witness nocturnal animal species during the night game drive.
Boat cruise
The largest lake in the national park, Lake Ihema, is where boat tours of Akagera take place. As the largest lake, it rewards visitors with sightings of numerous crocodiles, hippos, and other animal species as they congregate to drink water, as well as aquatic bird species and animal species.
Guided nature walks
The best approach for visitors to the Akagera National Park to witness a variety of animal species while on foot is to take a guided nature walk. These excursions allow visitors to see most of the park’s characteristics, including plant species, bird species, and insect species.
The park provides additional park activities for visitors to enjoy, including bird watching, fishing on Lake Shakani, community tours, behind-the-scenes tours, and more.
How to get to Akagera National Park
The travel time for tourists to reach Akagera National Park, located 110 km from Kigali, is about two and a half hours. And once more, visitors who want to see the park by air can use the Akagera Aviation Company to arrange a charter trip from Kigali International Airport to the park.
